Author Archives: Quinn Taylor

Vancouver Is Slowly Becoming This NBA Teams Home Away From Home

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What may be a surprise to basketball fans outside of Vancouver, is that even after the Grizzlies left the West Coast, Vancouver remains starving for top tier basketball play.

This Saturday the Toronto Raptors tipped off against the Los Angeles Clippers at Rogers Arena a part of the NBA Canada Series. The atmosphere inside the building felt more like a Canucks playoff game than it did a meaningless NBA preseason game. Many basketball fans in B.C. take the Raptors coming to Vancouver as a compliment to the city’s basketball culture that still remains 25 years since the Grizzlies were here.

While Raptors’ home of course is Toronto, Vancouver has quietly become the team’s favourite home away from home.

 

This game marked the eighth time in franchise history that Toronto brought a preseason game to Rogers Arena. Whatā€™s now beginning to feel like a tradition, the Raptors have held preseason games in Vancouver, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2023, and 2025. Every single time the Raptors pull into town, itā€™s almost a guarantee the crowd will be full of basketball hungry Vancouverites.Ā 

Adding extra amusement to the already appreciative crowd. Toronto treated Raptors fans to a dominant 114ā€“106 victory over the Clippers. The Raptors were in control all game, going into half up 12 points..

The highlight of the night came courtesy of Mississauga native RJ Barrett. The Canadian national team star showed the crowd some real NBA level talent, scoring 20 minutes in just 23 minutes of playing time. Alongside RJ was all star forward Scottie Barnes who put up 12 points in 21 minutes.

 

Between whistles, the crowd erupted into loud chants, giving Barrett and his teammates a rowdy welcome that made the thousands of miles between Toronto and Vancouver vanish instantly.

As the final buzzer sounded and the players exchanged jerseys along the baseline, the night served as another resounding statement for basketball culture in BC. The NBA Canada Series brings top-tier athleticism directly to our doorstep, giving local fans a front-row seat to world-class hoops while honouring Canadaā€™s basketball evolution. For a city that loves its sports with a passion, the Raptors’ annual pilgrimage to Vancouver remains one of the absolute highlights on the local calendar.



Macklin Celebrini Did The Unthinkable Again.

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Just ten days after Connor Bedard took the “C” in Chicago, another North Vancouver prodigy made NHL history of his own. On September 25, the San Jose Sharks officially named 20-year-old superstar Macklin CelebriniĀ the 11th captain in franchise history.

For hockey fans across Metro Vancouver, the 2023 and 2024 NHL drafts felt like deja vu. Two kids born in the same North Shore hometown, who learned to skate on the same local ice rinks, being selected first overall in back-to-back drafts, and now both wearing the letter “C” on their chests before either has even reached his 22nd birthday.

Celebriniā€™s path to the captaincy and superstardom mirrors the rise of his hometown buddy Bedard. After becoming the youngest player ever to win the Hobey Baker Award at Boston University in March of 2024, Celebrini was selected first overall by San Jose in June later that year. He quickly proved his collegiate dominance was no fluke. Over his first two NHL seasons, he posted point totals that even Connor McDavid didn’t reach at the same age, 178 points in 152 games, capped by a 45-goal, 115-point breakout last season that placed him fourth in league scoring and third in Ted Lindsay Award voting.

On the ice, Celebriniā€™s work ethic often resembles a fourth liner grinding to stay in the lineup rather than the Canadian IIHF Men’s Hockey Player of the Year. Unlike many young star forwards, his defensive commitment equals the relentless energy he pours into the offensive zone.

Former San Jose captain Joe Thornton presented Celebrini with his new sweater during a team meeting. As Thornton handed him the jersey, the room felt the physical passing of the torch from one franchise icon to the next.

 

Reflecting on taking on the ultimate leadership role, Celebrini remained grounded:

“To wear the ‘C’ for an organization with this kind of history, following guys like Jumbo and Patrick Marleau, it’s an incredible honor,” Celebrini said. “Growing up in North Van, you dream about playing in the NHL, but leading a group like this is something truly special. My family and I couldn’t be prouder.”

By taking the captaincy at 20 years and 104 days old, Celebrini surpassed Bedard and Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman to become the youngest B.C. born team captain in NHL history. He also holds the title of the youngest captain ever to lead the Sharks.

What makes Celebrini special is how his elite, generational skill on the ice is fully matched off the ice by a natural leadership ability that earns immediate respect from veterans and rookies off the ice. As he guides San Jose through this rebuild, itā€™s North Vancouver’s hockey pipeline that continues to stand as the new NHL star factory.



This North Vancouver 20-Year-Old Just Made History

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Long before he was sharing a top line with Patrick Kane, Connor Bedard was just a kid on rollerblades in North Vancouver, spending endless summer afternoons shooting pucks into a backyard net in Lynn Valley. Like so many young players across Metro Vancouver, he held early dreams of what it would feel like to wear the captain’s “C” for an Original Six franchise.

That childhood vision became reality when the Chicago Blackhawks officially named the 21-year-old superstar the 37th captain in franchise history.

 

After being chosen first overall in the 2023 draft, Bedard met the heavy expectations that were put on him since he was 14. Winning the Calder Trophy as a rookie and racking up 203 points through his first 219 professional games. Yet, he earned the letter “C” through far more than just generational play.

Watching Chicago games reveals a player who leads his team both during live play and between whistles. After whistle blows, heā€™s constantly removing his mouthguard to direct teammates. Itā€™s no surprise Bedard isnā€™t scared to speak up to players older than him. Bedard spent his whole childhood playing with players older than him. He even honed his leadership qualities in 2022 when, at just 17 years old, he became the youngest captain in Western Hockey League history as a member of the Regina Pats.

Reflecting on joining a historic lineage of Chicago leaders, Bedard acknowledged the deep weight of the moment:

“To follow in legends like Toews and Chelios, it’s incredibly special,” Bedard said. “It’s the proudest I’ve ever felt in my life. When I FaceTimed my family, we didn’t have to say much. We’ve all been on this journey together since I was a little kid. You don’t have to find the words about an Original Six team telling you you’re wearing the C.”

Bedard’s captaincy milestone gained even more drama following a grueling rehab process. After undergoing offseason shoulder surgery following a training session in Burnaby, Bedard endured months of physical therapy that sidelined him for summer training and Chicagoā€™s opening six games of the season.

As the Blackhawks push to secure their first postseason berth since 2020, they will be led by a player whose impact extends far beyond rookie of the year awards and high point totals. Bedard’s story as one of North Vancouver’s premier sports icons continues to grow shift by shift.



The Vancouver Golden Eyes Have Already Done Something The Canucks Have Never:

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In just two seasons, the Vancouver Goldeneyes did something the Canucks have never managed to accomplish in their 56 years of existence: selecting number one overall in the draft. With that historic pick, the Goldeneyes chose star defenceman Caroline “KK” Harvey. Most Vancouver hockey fans remember Harvey from her making Canadian forwards look foolish as she effortlessly danced along the blue line en route to winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in February.

Long before hearing her name called number one in the PWHL Draft, Harvey established herself as a generational talent across international and collegiate stages. Her development rocketed through elite youth programs like the East Coast Selects and Bishop Kearney Selects before she became a household name with Team USA.\

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On the international stage, Harvey’s resume glistens with hardware. She captured Olympic gold and silver medals, multi-year IIHF World Junior gold and silver, and senior Women’s World Championship gold. Her dominance reached its peak on the Olympic stage, where she earned tournament MVP, Best Defender honors, and a spot on the All-Star Team after pacing all blue-liners in tournament scoring.

At the NCAA level, Harvey captained the University of Wisconsin Badgers to multiple national championships while earning WCHA Defensive Player of the Year honors and finishing as a finalist for the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as college hockey’s top player. Across 147 collegiate games, she racked up an astonishing 201 points from the defensive position, cementing herself as the surefire number one pick in this year’s draft class.

When Harvey takes her first strides on the ice at the Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver hockey fans will be watching dominance by a defenceman that hasnā€™t been seen in this city since Quinn Hughes. She controls the puck with ease, often leading zone rushes and operating like a fourth forward on the ice.

Yet, her defensive awareness is what solidifies her total game. Always aggressive on pucks and never afraid to block shots, Harvey can go from looking like a star offensive machine, to a seasoned stay-at-home defenceman in just a 45 second shift.

Beyond her elite micro-stats, Harvey brings a resume that highlights not only her remarkable individual success, but proves she knows exactly what it takes to win at the highest level. The Goldeneyes are coming off a grueling first season, but with the help of a dynamic young blue-line star, the franchise could be making its first ever playoff appearance this spring.



The NHL Is Bringing A New Creative Way For Team To Connect With Their City:

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A new set of colorful pads never lowered a goaltenderā€™s goals-against average. A modern twist on a classic logo never made players skate faster. A vibrant mixture of colors and patterns draped over a player’s equipment won’t make them shoot the puck any harder.

Yet, when a team dons new uniforms, it instantly captures the attention of even the most casual hockey fans across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Following in the footsteps of the wildly popular Adidas Reverse Retro series in 2021 and 2022, the NHL and Fanatics are officially rolling out a brand-new, league wide program for the 2026ā€“27 season called “Hometown Remix.”

As first reported in Icethetics‘ detailed season preview video, this new league wide rollout is set to outfit all 32 franchises in special-edition alternate sweaters designed to celebrate local culture, city heritage, and fanbase identity. An official league wide reveal is slated for November, but insider reports have provided fans an early look at how franchises plan to connect with their home markets in bold, unexpected ways.

While the Adidas Reverse Retro program brought back countless vintage jerseys that had been sitting in team closets for decades, Hometown Remix is taking a much more city-centered approach. Rather than strictly reintroducing old designs stripe-for-stripe, teams across the league are bringing in uniforms that carry direct cultural significance to the markets they represent.

Early leaks and insider breakdowns highlight just how wild some of these creative swings are going to be. The Florida Panthers leaned fully into Miami Vice vibes with a bright pink base and a stunning ocean-sunrise crest. With the help of an online fan vote, the New York Islanders are bringing back a tasteful spin on their classic 1990s “Fisherman” design.

Other clubs are taking major creative risks by debuting concepts unseen in their franchise history: Chicago is introducing a bold green look, Edmonton will feature a sleek black-and-orange design, and Vancouver is going modern with a navy blue base that carries minimal ties to past team sweaters.

Under the parameters of the new program, teams are mandated to wear their Hometown Remix sweaters for a minimum of seven games during the regular season, with some franchises pushing toward 10 or 11 appearances. For fans, that expanded schedule makes this collection feel much more worthwhile than a brief one off gimmick.

When the NHL debuted its Reverse Retro collections, several franchises swung for the fences. Some teams hit on instant classics, while others treated the games as simple formalities. Regardless, hockey fans have been eager to see a fresh league wide uniform collection for years, and as the NHL enters a new era driven by young talent, the league’s visual identity is set to match that energy on the ice.

What We Know About The Canucks New Alternate Uniforms:

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In the 56 seasons the Canucks have played in the NHL, they have dawned 22 different uniforms. That number will soon turn to 23 as the NHL is set to roll the ā€œHOMETOWN REMIXā€ collection. Following in the footsteps of the wildly popular Adidas Reverse Retro series in 2021 and 2023, this new leaguewide collection outfits all 32 teams in alternate uniforms designed to celebrate local culture, city heritage, and fanbase identity.

With the official league wide reveal slated for November, jersey insider updates have finally provided a clearer picture of what colourful new look weā€™ll be watching for at least seven games this season.Ā 

Unlike past uniform drops that took Canuck fans back in time, Vancouverā€™s Hometown Remix look is breaking from tradition. According to recent reports from Icethetics, the Canucksā€™ new sweater will feature a navy blue base, a colour palette familiar to Vancouver fans from both previous Reverse Retro iterations.

However, if you were expecting to see a style of uniform that weā€™ve seen past Canucks teams wear, think again. Fans expecting a revival of the classic 1915 Vancouver Millionaires maroon and white “V” or an exact return of the flying skate on a retro cut will have to set those expectations aside. Instead, Fanatics and the Canucks have opted for an entirely original, modern aesthetic tailored specifically for this collection.

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This isnā€™t the first time the NHL has brought a creative project to each franchise. Back when Adidas was the league’s Jersey sponsor, they brought the Reverse Retro collection, meant for teams to bring back old inspired uniforms with a twist. During the 2020ā€“21 season, the Canucks introduced their first Reverse Retro by flipping the iconic gradient alternate jersey from the late nineties, transitioning from dark blue to green down the body with the classic Orca crest. The uniforms were split amongst Canucks fans. Many liked the nostalgia the uniforms brought back to the days of the West Coast Express. Others thought that the green slowly fading into blue made it look like cans of sprite playing on ice.Ā 

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Two years later for the 2022ā€“23 campaign, the franchise honored its hockey roots with a navy blue and green homage to the 1962 Western Hockey League Canucks, bringing back the legendary Johnny Canuck rink logo onto the chest. This uniform was much less risky than the first go around. Critics said it felt very boring and bland while others thought the return of the iconic Johnny Canucks skating across the teams chest was needed.Ā 

While traditionalists may be hesitant about abandoning vintage designs, a new direction offers the Canucks a fresh visual identity for the 2026ā€“27 campaign that hasnā€™t been seen in a while. Whether it becomes an instant classic or a polarizing experiment, all eyes will be on Rogers Arena when Vancouver debuts its newest threads this November.



What Would A Realistic Successful Season Look Like For Caleb Malhotra

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Canucks fans were very pleased when the team selected Caleb Malhotra third overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. While storylines surrounding Caleb and his head coach Dad dominated headlines, it was easy to forget that Vancouver secured a high-IQ, 200-foot cornerstone center who dominated the OHL with 84 points in the regular season with Brantford and 26 playoff points. Now, as Caleb steps onto the ice for his freshman season at Boston University, Canucks fans are naturally very excited. But as the 18-year-old transitions from Canadian junior hockey to the NCAA, what should Canucks fans actually expect from his rookie collegiate campaign?

Making the jump from Major Junior directly to College Hockey is a massive physical leap. Unlike junior hockey, where teenagers play against other teenagers, the NCAA is a league of grown men, with mature physical frames, seasoned in NCAA hockey.Ā 

With this being the second season of NCAA allowing former CHL players, Caleb will have the luxury of comparing himself to other players who made the jump last season. Take 2025 six overall pick Porter Martone, who was one of the first to transition from the OHL to the NCAA at Michigan State last season. Martone’s dynamic physical tools helped translate into a dominant All-Big Ten rookie year, recording 50 points in 35 games for Michigan State. However not every top prospect making the jump experiences success right away. Anaheim Ducks 2025 tenth overall pick Roger McQueen, made the jump last year as well. Unlike Martone, McQueen noticeably took time adjusting to the heavier battles and faster pace, recording 27 points in 36 games.

For Malhotra, BU provides a world class development launching pad, but Canucks fans expecting a point per game freshman season need to temper their timelines. Boston University’s head coach Jay Pandolfo rarely lets freshmen walk onto the top line or take primary power play minutes right out of the gate. His transition will look far more like fellow Terrier teammate and Blues first 2026 first round pick, Tynan Lawrence, who came in mid last season from the USHL and took time to match the high level play.

So, what does a successful rookie year at BU actually look like for Malhotra? A realistic line for the Canucks’ top pick would be anywhere between 22 to 30 points across a 35 game NCAA schedule, while establishing himself as BUā€™s go-to matchup center by second semester. Heā€™sĀ  never been solely defined by high end skill, rather playing a more 200-foot responsible game. If Malhotra can lock down crucial defensive minutes, win physical battles, and show steady offensive progression by the Hockey East tournament come March, his freshman season will be a roaring success. It could even be enough for him to sign with the Canucks once his season’s over.



Are Philadelphia Flyers Fans Experiencing What Canucks Fans Felt in 2025?

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When the Philadelphia Flyers skated off the ice following their seventh straight loss to open the season, met by deafening boos and chants of “Fire Tocchet!“ echoing through the arena, it left Philadelphians in a deep state of frustration and Canucks fans in a deep state of vindication.

Seven games into the 2026ā€“27 regular season, Rick Tocchetā€™s squad is experiencing a franchise-record winless streak at 0ā€“5ā€“2. The Flyers carry a league-worst -20 goal differential while averaging a dismal 1.1 goals per game. Forward Trevor Zegras, who signed a massive six-year, $9.125-million contract extension, has just two points, while preseason Calder Trophy front-runner Porter Martone has only one goal.

For Canucks fans who remember Tocchetā€™s final months behind the bench in Vancouver, the parallels between the two teams’ seasons are hard to ignore. But is Philadelphia’s early disaster all Tocchet’s fault, or is there time for the team to still do a 180?

When Tocchet took control of the Flyers bench last season, he inherited a roster built similarly to the one he had in his first season in Vancouver in 2023: a young team with solid pieces, but still stuck in between being a basement team and a contending team. Tocchetā€™s success in his first season in Philly mirrored his second season with the Canucks, as both teams crushed early-season expectations and got knocked out in the second round of the playoffs.

Reading the discourse online from Flyers fans, it seems as if Tocchet didnā€™t hear much of the criticism Canucks fans commonly had for him. Issues with young players’ ice time, along with stale offensive and defensive structures, have been complaints with Tocchet across two straight franchises now.

Despite the chants breaking out in Philadelphia, general manager Daniel Briere isn’t ready to pull the trigger just yet. Firing a coach this early can be a risky decision, but itā€™s one he might have to make if the streak continues.

When a Tocchet-coached team is playing well, it usually means they are following his structure to a tee. However, if a player struggles in that structure and plays better outside of it, should it be the player or the coach that has to adjust? Thatā€™s a question that the entire Flyers team is going to have to ask themselves.

The Seahawks Are Playing Their Biggest Game Since The Super Bowl This Sunday:

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For Seattle Seahawks fans across the Pacific Northwest, this weekend presents the biggest, highest-stakes home game since last year’s playoff run. The Seattle Seahawks (3ā€“1) host the undefeated San Francisco 49ers (4ā€“0) for top spot in the NFC West and early control of the conference playoff picture. Although the season is still young, Week 5 marks the first milestone in the books. As the postseason landscape starts to take shape, an early intradivisional victory could be the exact catalyst that secures a playoff bye come January.

Seattle enters Sunday riding high after bouncing back against the Chargers to lock down a 3ā€“1 record. The Seahawks’ success has been fueled by a suffocating defense known across the league as ā€œThe DarkSide.ā€ Operating under head coach Mike Macdonald, the unit ranks #1 in the NFL against the pass, surrendering an astonishingly low 144.8 passing yards per game. All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon and Pro Bowler Julian Love have transformed the secondary into an absolute no-fly zone, leaving opposing quarterbacks looking completely lost. On the other side of the ball, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has picked up right where he left off, already hauling in six touchdown catches, providing crucial support for an offense that navigated Drew Lock starting in Weeks 2 and 3 after Sam Darnold sustained an early hip injury.

As impressive as the Seahawks have looked, they have yet to face an opponent as lethal as the 49ers. The San Francisco team visiting Lumen Field isn’t the banged-up roster Seattle blew out 41ā€“6 in Januaryā€™s Divisional clash. Key anchors like fullback Kyle Juszczyk, defensive end Nick Bosa, and tight end George Kittle were all sidelined for that playoff matchup.Now operating with a re-energized lineup, the 49ers are firing on all cylinders, averaging a staggering 30.5 points per game behind quarterback Brock Purdy and superstar running back Christian McCaffrey.

For Seahawks fans watching across British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, the rivalry with San Francisco is deeply personal. With massive implications on future playoff seeding, Sunday’s clash represents an undeniable statement opportunity. If the Seahawks can defend home turf and hand the 49ers their first loss of the season, they won’t just take over the NFC West, they’ll prove to the entire league that last year’s run was no fluke.



Did Vasily Podkolzin Teach The Canucks a Lesson?

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The 2019 NHL Entry Draft was a special night for the Vancouver Canucks. Hosting the event at Rogers Arena in front of an excited home crowd, Vancouver held the tenth overall pick. Naturally, when the Canucks selected Russian power forward Vasily Podkolzin, the arena erupted in excitement.

Canucks fans attached a high ceiling to the young Russian forward. As a prospect, he was highly touted by scouts, most echoing the exact same report. A relentless forechecker, heavy hitting power forward, defensively responsible, and blessed with soft hands. His primary downside entering the draft was his KHL contract with SKA St. Petersburg, which meant he wouldn’t arrive in the NHL until the 2021 season. Still, Canucks faithful held out hope that he would eventually become the ultimate power forward engine for the club’s young core. Fast forward to today, and Podkolzin is indeed running over opposing teams’ defenseman and lighting up lamps across the Pacific Division. The only problem? He’s doing it in an Edmonton Oilers sweater.

Podkolzinā€™s tenure in Vancouver was a rollercoaster of mishandled development and shifting front office philosophies. After a promising rookie campaign where he potted 14 goals, his growth hit a brick wall under constant coaching changes and line juggling. The issue was that the Canucks didnā€™t give him a stable top nine runway, like most franchises would with their first round pick. They also kept him on a short leash, sending him down to Abbotsford in the AHLĀ  repeatedly. In his final season with the Canucks, former head coach Rick Tocchett only trusted the young winger in 19 games. Podkolzin’s confidence looked short, and it was clear that he wouldnā€™t last under Tocchette’s system.

Podkolzinā€™s tenure in Vancouver was a rollercoaster of mishandled development and shifting front office philosophies. After a promising rookie campaign where he potted 14 goals, his growth hit a brick wall under constant coaching changes and line juggling. The core issue was that the Canucks never gave him a stable top-nine runway, the kind most franchises afford a tenth overall pick. Instead, management kept him on a short leash, repeatedly sending him down to AHL Abbotsford. In his final season with Vancouver, head coach Rick Tocchet only trusted the young winger in 19 games. Podkolzin’s confidence looked completely shot, and it became increasingly obvious he had no future in Tocchetā€™s strict, defensive system.

Then came August 2024. The Canucks dumped Podkolzin to rival Edmonton in exchange for a light 2025 fourth-round pick. At the time, few criticized the deal, as management chalked it up to clearing roster space and recouping a draft asset. But trading a former top-ten pick to a divisional rival for pennies on the dollar is a gamble. One that Vancouver should have known could come back to haunt them.

It didnā€™t take long for the Oilers to hand Podkolzin a far larger opportunity than Vancouver ever offered. Slotted onto superstar e wing, the Russian forward quickly established himself as a permanent linemate alongside the former Hart Trophy winner. When asked about Podkolzin, Draisaitl glows, regularly acknowledging that itā€™s the relentless dirty work Podkolzin does in the corners and along the boards that makes him so valuable on his wing.

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In his first two full seasons for the Oilers, Podkolzin racked up 61 points. While his regular-season numbers were impressive, it was Edmontonā€™s first-round matchup against Anaheim in last spring’s playoffs that truly made Canucks fans regret giving up on him. In a tight series where several marquee Oilers struggled, Podkolzin stepped up with six points in six games.

Four games into the 2026ā€“27 season, Podkolzin has shot out of a cannon, piling up four goals and two assists in just four games. As the Oilers navigate an early season wave of injuries, his role and opportunities are only going to expand. The Canucks’ rebuild will take time, but as management collects future draft picks, Podkolzinā€™s case can serve as a stark reminder to new management never to give up on young talent too early, and if you do, certainly don’t trade them to a rival for a fourth-rounder.